Buying Guide
The Best Budget CPUs by Core Count
We weighed three processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has the largest L3 cache, and the Ryzen 5 5500 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A budget CPU should have six cores at least so it does not hold back a mid-range GPU. Every pick has six or more cores and cost $190 or less, ordered by core count.
Rankings weigh L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads as the makers state them; we did not test these processors ourselves, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
The largest L3 cache here (24MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest L3 cache here (24MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. | Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Game Cache1 of 3
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the bo is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. On L3 cache it leads this guide at 24MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F (20MB). Nothing else here matches its 5.2GHz boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes closest at 4.9GHz.
On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 125W. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket. You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support.
Only the Core Ultra 5 225F came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 5500; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 5500 has it.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 14
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- PCIe 5.0 support
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 3
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 225F is a locked ten-core LGA1851 chip.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 20MB L3 cache ranks second of 3 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (16MB). On core count it sits mid-pack at 10 cores: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores, and the Ryzen 5 5500 comes in at 6 cores.
On rated power it ties with the Core Ultra 5 245KF at 125W. Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket. You also get 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, PCIe 5.0 support and Intel 800-series chipset support.
It needs an LGA1851 board (Intel 800-series chipset) and DDR5 memory; LGA1700 boards and coolers without an LGA1851 mounting kit will not fit. Rated power is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 5500 covers it better at 65W.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 20MB
- Max boost: 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 10
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 performance and 4 efficient cores
- PCIe 5.0 support
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- L3 cache of 20MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W)
Lowest Rated Power3 of 3
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 24MB. Its 4.2GHz boost clock is the lowest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 5.2GHz.
On core count it trails the group at 6 cores, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores. Its 65W rated power is the lowest here; the Core Ultra 5 245KF comes next at 125W. No other pick in this guide offers an AM4 socket; compare the Core Ultra 5 245KF, which has an LGA1851 socket.
It is the only pick here with DDR4 memory; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has DDR5 memory instead. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Core Ultra 5 225F the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- One of the cheapest six-core desktop chips
- AM4 socket, the only one here
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up three processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Core Ultra 5 245KF to the Ryzen 5 5500, state L3 cache, boost clock and core count.
- Who each pick suits
- The Core Ultra 5 245KF for the largest L3 cache here (24MB); the Core Ultra 5 225F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores; the Ryzen 5 5500 for the lowest rated power here (65W).
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Core Ultra 5 245KF ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Budget CPUs by Core Count
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 24MB on the Core Ultra 5 245KF. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second for less money.
How much boost clock you need
Here boost clock runs from 4.2GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 5.2GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245KF. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 4.9GHz.
Core count
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 14 cores on the Core Ultra 5 245KF. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second for less money.
Memory
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F list DDR5; the Ryzen 5 5500 lists DDR4. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Cooler in box
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F go without; the Ryzen 5 5500 has it.
How to Choose a Budget CPUs by Core Count
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core Ultra 5 245KF | The largest L3 cache here (24MB) |
| Buyers who want 6 performance and 4 efficient cores | Core Ultra 5 225F | 6 performance and 4 efficient cores |
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 5 5500 | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads on L3 cache at 24MB, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F at 20MB.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 20MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick and the Core Ultra 5 245KF the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Core Ultra 5 245KF on L3 cache?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 24MB, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 20MB. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 16MB.
Which has the highest boost clock: the Core Ultra 5 245KF or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 5.2GHz, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 4.9GHz. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 4.2GHz.
Which has the highest core count: the Core Ultra 5 245KF or the Core Ultra 5 225F?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 14 cores, with the Core Ultra 5 225F at 10 cores. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 6 cores.
What does the Core Ultra 5 245KF add over the Ryzen 5 5500?
On paper it adds L3 cache (24MB against 16MB), boost clock (5.2GHz against 4.2GHz) and core count (14 cores against 6 cores). It does not win everywhere: the Ryzen 5 5500 still leads on rated power (65W). The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Ryzen 5 5500 our Lowest Rated Power pick?
It earns the label for the lowest rated power here (65W). It suits anyone who put rated power first.
Do the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 5 5500 differ on socket?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Core Ultra 5 225F use LGA1851; the Ryzen 5 5500 uses AM4.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Core Ultra 5 245KF. Look at the Core Ultra 5 225F for 6 performance and 4 efficient cores and the Ryzen 5 5500 for the lowest rated power here (65W) if those matter more to you.
Check the platform cost; a cheap CPU on a costly board saves little.